Would've preferred a loan to a Prem or top championship side but this is probably the next best alternative. Probably does open the door for Malinovskyi now. Though - and it’s probably unpopular as I’ve said it one or twice before a few months back - I really wouldn’t mind a move for Zaha. Feels like he’s finally finding consistency and he don’t have too much left on his on contract, this feels like the final summer he could get a good move too. Mind you, any of that trio of Zaha, Eze and Olise would be welcome here.
Olise wouldn't, as (IIRC) Dan KP said the club won't be signing players who haven't had their Covid jab
I can still see one of Emerson or Doherty leaving. If they don’t, we should sort a loan move for Spence, KWP-ing him will do him little favours even if Conte probably wants him around to learn the role.
Spence and Sarr join Bryan in being club purchases, as opposed to meeting a requirement of the coach. There's something between £50-£60m of investment in young talent there. It's to be hoped that Paratici has a plan for them. Current evidence suggests that Conte doesn't in the foreseeable future.
This season is where the club decide whether to stick or twist with Sanchez and Doherty, as both are contracted until 2024 Wouldn't be surprised if Doherty was loaned with an eye on a move come January, to be honest
Wijnaldum's leg break offers a chance to loan Sarr to Roma for the season Still don't rate Zaniolo, though
Conte apparently really likes Gil and he talked up Sarr the other day too. Judging by the way he’s spoken about them, plus the recent Udogie signing, I think there might be a chance we could actually convince Conte to commit to a long-ish new deal. Him and Paratici are building a team for now and for years to come.
If Sanchez is happy deputising then I think a new deal could be in the pipeline for him. Scares the living **** out of me when he tries controlling or kicking a ball but he’s not a bad defender. Doherty’s been one of our poorest signings in a list of bad signings prior to Paratici’s arrival. I’d take any half decent offer for him, I think there’d be significant interest amongst the Prem.
I completely forgot Udogie, although I reckon that he's got more of a chance of making the squad from the off. The other 3 don't look like that will be the case. I've no problem with building for the future...but we have to improve these lads and ready them for the PL and that's not been something that we've any great track record of with very young, foreign players. Is Bryan at Valencia because it's the absolute best for him and particularly us, in the long run...? I'm not crying foul yet...but where Sarr and Spence spend this season (and possibly next) may give a pointer.
For squad players on the fringe or returning from injury, it would be the "goldilocks zone" between not playing starting XI all week, and the more pedestrian physicality of the U23 league. The only constraint I would have on it is that the total number of games be half that of the league proper.
He will if Sessegnon continues to disappoint. As for the others in general, they’ll (hopefully) be ready in time. They’re all amongst some of the best talents for their age but right now we have more established players in their spots. I think Valencia’s a good move for Gil, albeit as I said I would’ve preferred a domestic loan. He’s already bulked a little which I’m sure is something Conte’s asked of him. If he can further physically develop and get substantial game time with Valencia then his situation can be reassessed next summer. I think Paratici and Conte are developing something good here, we’re planning for both now and the future and it gives the impression we’re in safe hands, we have people who know what they’re doing from the footballing side and we have a chairman who knows what he’s doing from the business side, it’s a good mix.
This is why seeking to sign talent from the league below is important. 1. In terms of physical demand, these players are getting it over a season akin to a PL club that is always in the KO stages of UEFA land competitions. 2. If the talent is also there (Dele Alli for example) , then whatever opportunities the player gets will immediately show on the pitch . The likes of Gil and Sarr are less of an issue on #2, but definitely so on #1. For the likes of Spence, the converse is more likely to be the case.
I’d love Zaha at Spurs. Imagine him playing alongside the likes of Kane, Son, Kulusevski and Richarlison. That’s a very strong forward line and gives good options
Great selection that's for sure. I don't see it happening for what it's worth but just feel it's something the club should look at. He's HG, couple years left on deal, been desperate for the last 3-4 years for a move to a club in European competition and he's capable of playing anywhere across the front line. Has that nasty/ gritty side similar to Richarlison that Conte would like too.
Does anyone have any actual predictions of what's gonna happen in the remaining days of the window? I'm going for two in: A midfielder/ forward with an eye for goal as well as a pass. Malinovskyi seems the prime candidate at the moment but there's been a few different favourites in recent weeks so wouldn't be surprised if it changes again. Think/ hope Kamada could be one to watch, we did hold brief interest earlier in the window and he's only got a year left on his deal. A young CB to cover Dier, maybe reignite interest in Ronnie Edwards. There's a number of possible candidates for that one though. Alternatively maybe an older head if there's any about, Gallas-esque. Think we'll see a few out, mix of loans and perms: Gil's loan as we know is almost done. I think/ hope we'll sort something for Devine, like Scarlett he needs a taste of regular men's football. Might be one or two loans for other young players, John, ***an-Walcott, Lyons-Foster, Bowden all possible candidates. Tanganga to get the move to Milan, I think they'll cave in to the obligation demand, albeit it may need us to lower the buy price slightly. Doherty to be a deadline day exit. There'll surely be a few Prem sides interested and his game time prospects aren't looking great, didn't feature much on the right in pre-season and Lucas came on ahead of him against Chelsea. If we're not gonna loan out Spence then he needs a route to the XI/ squad and that'll be made easier with someone making way.
I'd go for something along the lines of... First team Malinovskiy to come in, paving the way for Gil to join Valencia on loan Tanganga's loan w/ option to Milan to be thrashed out Sarr to be loaned to a European top flight side White to be loaned to a Championship side (what happened to the talk of loans to QPR or Swansea, anyway?) Academy Lavinier to be sold, if the talk of him not signing a contract and being Unpersoned for it rings true Lyons-Foster to be loaned, due to needing a squad place otherwise Potential loans for John, Bowden and ***an-Walcott Devine, Paskotsi and Cesay to stay, so that they will all qualify as CG at the earliest opportunity
White and Sarr completely skipped my mind. Definitely need to sort them out. There was a rumour this morning that Hull want Lavinier on loan, can’t remember who the source was though.
Somebody whose name I already forgot due to posting clickbait rumours to drive traffic to their Patreon says we're looking to sign Dan James While I will admit that I wanted him in the summer of 2019, due to him being a more finished product in comparison to Jack Clarke, I just cannot see the point of signing him in 2022 - especially as he only signed for Leeds last season, meaning we should be looking at cheaper options to boost our HG numbers
